Duminy’s 99 boosts South Africa

KOLKATA: JP Duminy cracked an impressive 99 under pressure to help South Africa post a challenging 272-7 against a fighting Ireland in their World Cup clash on Tuesday.

South Africa were struggling at 117-5 as Ireland bowled and fielded tightly before Duminy steadied the innings with an 87-run stand for the seventh wicket with Colin Ingram (46).

Duminy looked set to complete his third one-day hundred before he fell in the last over going for quick runs, brilliantly caught by Kevin O’Brien at mid-on off seamer John Mooney.

The middle-order batsman, who hit one six and six fours in his 103-ball knock, also added 65 for the seventh wicket with Johan Botha (21 not out).

Morne van Wyk was the other notable contributor with 42.

Ingram, playing his first World Cup game in place of injured batsman AB de Villiers, hit seven fours in his 43-ball knock before being bowled by fast bowler Trent Johnston.

The Proteas, for whom a win in the day-night game would cement their place in the quarter-finals, were earlier under pressure as they lost wickets at regular intervals against an inspired Irish side.

The non-Test playing nation did not allow South Africa to settle after they elected to field, with paceman Boyd Rankin and spinners Geroge Dockrell and Paul Stirling taking one wicket apiece.

The Irish bowlers were backed by their fielders, with skipper William Porterfield and Mooney having a hand in the run-outs of Jacques Kallis (19) and skipper Graeme Smith (seven).

The South African batting problems began in the fifth over when Hashim Amla (18) fell soon after pulling Rankin for a six, upper-cutting the next ball to Dockrell, who took a superb diving catch at deep third man.

Van Wyk, promoted in the batting order, went for his shots from the beginning as he twice lofted Johnston for fours and then hit two successive boundaries off Rankin.

He was lucky to survive on 23 when Stirling dropped a regulation slip catch off Rankin, but Ireland did not have to wait long for success as Smith was run out following a Mooney direct hit at the non-striker’s end.

Van Wyk continued to play attacking shots as he smashed Johnston for two fours and a six in the same over before his flourish finally ended, bowled by left-arm spinner Dockrell while attempting to cut.